NAB will start with those who ruled for 35 years: chairman

Says he will step down if evidence of anti-graft body’s political link found


Our Correspondent July 04, 2019
Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal. PHOTO: PPI / FILE

ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal on Thursday said those who were ruling for the past 35 years would be held accountable first, followed by the ones who had taken over the country’s reins only a few months ago.

“I will resign from office if a link that even remotely indicated that NAB is working underhandedly for political gains is established,” the anti-graft watchdog’s chief said at a cheque distribution ceremony held at the anti-corruption body’s headquarters.

“Neither does NAB believe in political revenge, nor does it want to be involved in politics. Our job is to eliminate corruption from the country. NAB, as an institution, is trying to take every step possible to eliminate corruption.”

The NAB chairman’s remarks came in the wake of opposition leaders repeatedly alleging that the bureau was selectively targeting individuals over their political affiliation at the behest of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

"Some people have tried convincing people that NAB is taking political revenge or that its attention is focused in one direction only. These attempts have been unsuccessful,” he said.

“NAB has no business of punishing anyone and it is up to courts to decide that.”

HE noted that there were 1,210 cases involving Rs900 billion in various accountability courts.

Maintaining that NAB was working within its constitutional jurisdiction, Iqbal said: “While governments may change, the state remains constant and the primary motive of the anti-graft body is to counter corruption.”

He added that the graft buster had no relations with any political party, group or individual but had firm affiliation with the state.

He added that eradicating corruption would improve the living standards of the citizens.

“NAB is working tirelessly to reform the country’s institutions which were previously looting public wealth,” Iqbal remarked.

“NAB has evidence of money laundering of billions of rupee and will present it before the relevant court at an appropriate time.”

Iqbal distributed cheques worth over Rs200 billion recovered by NAB Rawalpindi among 4,740 people affected by various housing scheme scams.

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